LINK: 2 Chronicles 13
Parallel Passage: 1 Kings 15:1-8
Yesterday, we covered four kings, two from Judah and two from Israel. 2 Chronicles 13-16 goes more in-depth into the lives of the two kings from Judah. Do you remember why Chronicles does that?
BACKGROUND
Abijah of Judah (913 - 911 B.C.)
Abijah was the son of Rehoboam's second wife, Maacah. He was handpicked by his father because he had proven his abilities (2 Chronicles 11:22), but 1 Kings 15:3 says he "walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David." The 2 Chronicles account mentions nothing about this. Even though he was a wicked king, the chronicler highlighted how God used Abijah to judge an even more corrupt king, Jeroboam I of Israel. The writer is also trying to underscore that God had given the kingdom to David and his descendants forever and that the true temple for worship was in Jerusalem.
Even though Israel had a vast army, Judah beat them in battle because they depended on God!
REFLECTION
The army of King Jeroboam I of Israel was doomed! They cherished the golden calves they carried with them rather than the Lord!
APPLICATION
In keeping with the question earlier this week about half-heartedness in the Lord, "golden calves" can interfere with wholehearted devotion to the Lord. What are the "golden calves" that you might cherish more than the Lord? Is there anything that you value more than God?
Golden calves always weigh you down! Release them and be free!!!!!
PRAYER
Lord, please reveal to us our "golden calves," and help us to release them. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
1 comment:
I feel like the Spiritual Exercises really addresses become indifferent to anything that would stand between you and your God. I benefitted so much from that journey!
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